A Summer With Bitter Rivals - Chapter 60

Chapter 60: When Coincidences Continue

Lady Fendine was the last among the invited guests to arrive at the party. She was accompanied by her partner, Zenon Trancium.

‘Just like at the yacht party, do they think they’re the main characters?’

It was almost comical how they always arrived the latest.

“It’s getting noisy.”

Emeline, who had been conversing with Mathis, glanced toward the commotion.

Mathis picked up a champagne glass from the nearby table and asked, “Would you like to go over?”

He had immediately understood that she wanted to speak with Lady Fendine.

Emeline shook her head slightly and smiled. “Later. It feels like too much attention would be drawn to us right now.”

“Then let me know whenever you wish.”

“Thank you, Mathis.”

Following her soft laughter, Mathis’s eyes also curved slightly in response.

“By any chance, have you considered moving the wedding date up?”

“Moving it up?”

“A delay of two or three months shouldn’t interfere with the preparations. What do you think? I’m not forcing you, so take your time and give me your answer.”

Emeline picked up the champagne glass beside her, following his lead. As she did, she let out a chuckle she couldn’t hold back.

“I don’t think I need much time to consider. I’ve come to realize that we’re a good match, and I’m looking forward to the wedding.”

Even if he suggested they marry tomorrow, Emeline would nod in agreement.

She seemed genuinely pleased with his suggestion, her face radiant with delight.

Her response might have seemed calculating, but she even managed to infuse her bold expression with a hint of modesty.

Mathis let out a quiet chuckle. “Then I’ll take that as a yes and proceed with moving the wedding up.”

“Yes.”

Emeline readily raised her champagne glass to clink it against his. A crisp sound rang out, barely noticeable amidst the bustling banquet hall.

Mathis observed her movements intently. When she lifted the glass to her lips, he followed suit, drinking at a leisurely pace.

After confirming Mathis’s pleased expression, Emeline set down her empty glass. Her gaze drifted past him, looking beyond his shoulder.

From the moment they had arrived, Zenon and Lady Fendine had drawn attention. Now, the two had quietly slipped away from the crowd and were speaking alone.

At first, a few bold individuals had approached them, but now, even that had stopped.

It was only natural—most of the guests here considered them as adversaries.

As Emeline closely observed their interactions, she narrowed her eyes slightly without realizing it.

It wasn’t because their affectionate behavior was an eyesore.

‘Something about the atmosphere doesn’t seem right… Is it just my imagination?’

More than anything, Zenon’s expression was unusually tense.

Lady Fendine kept tilting her head as if puzzled. Soon, she smiled brightly and began chattering, as if trying to soothe him.

Zenon, however, simply stared at her with an unreadable, dark expression.

Moments later, Lady Fendine gave him a cheerful smile before turning to walk away.

Watching them, Emeline assumed they had a minor argument that would soon be resolved.

Just as she was about to shift her gaze away from them, it happened.

Zenon grabbed Lady Fendine’s hand and rather roughly turned her back toward him. Then, with a visibly irritated expression, he began speaking to her.

It wasn’t just Emeline who was taken aback—others who had been watching them also seemed surprised.

Zenon let out a frustrated sigh and turned his head away.

Unfortunately, his gaze landed directly in Emeline’s direction. Their eyes met far too easily.

Zenon’s movements halted abruptly. For a fleeting moment, his eyes widened in surprise.

His expression became indescribably complex.

Just as Lady Fendine was about to follow his gaze, Zenon swiftly turned his head away.

Then, taking his fiancée’s hand, he led her away to a quieter spot, hidden from others’ view.

Emeline silently stared at the place where they had disappeared.

‘Did they have a serious fight?’

Still, considering they left together, they might return looking as affectionate as ever.

Once, he had scoffed at her for being ridiculous, yet hadn’t he attended a play with his fiancée, enjoying a cozy evening together?

Rumor had it they had been openly affectionate even in public spaces, showing no hesitation in displaying their love.

As she recalled this, an inexplicable discomfort settled in her chest.

“Miss Emeline, is something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing…”

Emeline forced a smile.

After chatting with Mathis for a while, she eventually saw the two return.

Glancing at them, Emeline deliberately looked away.

‘I need to speak with Lady Fendine, but now isn’t the time.’

She needed Zenon to be nowhere near her.

Likewise, Mathis, who had promised to accompany her, also had to be absent.

She couldn’t bring herself to talk about how Zenon Trancium had been personally seeking her out in front of Mathis. Especially since he was already wary, suspecting there was some special connection between her and Zenon.

So, it was best to avoid any situation that might give him reason to doubt her.

‘At the very least, I should approach Lady Fendine after the dance with my partner ends, when Mathis is off socializing with other nobles.’

As Emeline waited for the right moment, she engaged in conversation with Mathis and their gathered friends.

Before long, the musicians began playing the music they had prepared.

The hostess, Lady Henburton, led the first dance with her fiancé, followed by the guests pairing up.

“Would you do me the honor of sharing the first dance with me?”

“Yes, of course.”

Emeline readily took Mathis’s hand, and they made their way to the center of the ballroom.

Mathis’s skill in leading the slow dance was exceptional. Among the many pairs, the two of them stood out the most.

Emeline gazed up at Mathis with a soft smile. Moments like this always felt like a scene from a play.

Just as she was about to lean closer to him, the song came to an end. Without hesitation, she stepped away with Mathis.

“Every time I see you dance, your skills are impeccable. It always amazes me. I don’t even have to put in any effort because you lead so well.”

“I wouldn’t say it’s because of my skill, but rather because you match my movements so well, Miss Emeline.”

“Really? But I even stepped on your foot once.”

“Did you? It must have been so light that I didn’t even feel it, so don’t worry.”

Emeline smiled at his polite response. Though, for someone who supposedly didn’t feel it, he had flinched quite noticeably.

She appreciated his effort to feign ignorance. Unlike someone she knew, who had bluntly remarked that she was heavy without any filter.

‘Yes, this suits me much better.’

A noble man, deeply ingrained with refined etiquette in every small gesture. Emeline thought she had found the perfect fiancé.

As more pairs finished their dances and the floor began to clear, a group of noblemen approached Mathis to discuss business.

Thanks to that, Emeline had a natural opportunity to separate from him. Mathis never included his fiancée in business discussions.

“I’ll be back shortly.”

“Don’t mind me, Mathis. Go ahead and take your time.”

With Mathis gone, Emeline was finally alone. Scanning her surroundings, she spotted Lady Labor Fendine, Zenon’s fiancée, standing a short distance away.

Until just moments ago, she had been by Zenon’s side, but now, she was conveniently alone.

Emeline briefly checked her own appearance.

There was no real need, but she felt compelled to do so. After adjusting her attire, she turned toward Lady Fendine.

At that moment, Lady Fendine happened to look in her direction. Sensing her gaze, Emeline smiled and prepared to greet her.

However, before she could, a voice called out from behind her.

“Lady Delzeier.”

Instinctively halting, she turned around with a wary expression.

Even in that brief moment, she recognized whose voice it was.

“We meet again.”

The vivid green eyes, reminiscent of a lush forest, were fixed on her.

Zenon, for once, did not wear his usual shameless or nonchalant demeanor. His voice carried an unusual calmness.

But it lasted only a moment. Soon, as if drawing a mask over his face, he smiled and approached her.

Emeline regarded him with a wary expression.

“…Lord Trancium.”

“Don’t you think we’re running into each other quite often lately?”

Emeline stared at his impeccably groomed appearance. His face, so finely sculpted it was almost angelic, seemed both youthful and strikingly mature when he smiled.

Unintentionally, Emeline tensed up. Zenon, noticing the stiffness in her posture, slowly traced his gaze over her rigid shoulders before letting out a quiet chuckle.

“They say if coincidences continue, they become fate.”

“…You’re speaking nonsense.”

With a slight grin, he took a step closer.

Then, as if considering her struggle to maintain eye contact, he leaned down slightly to meet her gaze at a more comfortable level.

“Well, isn’t it already proven? We were never meant to just pass by each other as strangers. Every time I see you, I think the same thing. That there’s something special about you.”

“That’s quite the delusion. Would you stop joking around?”

“Alright, then.”

Zenon easily agreed. Then, bringing one hand behind his back, he extended the other toward her in an elegant, formal gesture.

Seeing this, Emeline’s brows furrowed.

“Lady Emeline.”

“Wait, what—”

“Would you grant me this dance?”

Before she could stop him, he had already made his move. With the corners of his lips curled into a teasing smile, he exuded an almost bewitching charm.